Tahsis mayor to step down from office

The lingering health effects of a 2017 motor vehicle accident have proven too much for Village of Tashis Mayor Jude Schooner who announced she was relinquishing her post today.

Her ongoing health challenges were caused by a March 2017 motor vehicle accident on Highway 28 near Gold River.

Mayor Schooner’s resignation is effective as of April 17. She made the announcement now to allow time for a smooth transition.

“This decision was one of the most gut-wrenching decisions I have ever made,” said Mayor Schooner. “Serving the Village has given me a wonderful education and has provided an opportunity to advocate for the community,as their representative. I am very thankful for the support and mentoring I have received.

“My near-decade on council has provided me with memorable experiences and has given me countless joy. I am very proud of the advancements of council especially over the last two terms. I have been so privileged to have served as mayor. It is with great sadness that I will be vacating my position due to health concerns.”

Mayor Schooner has served two terms as mayor. She was first elected to council in 2008 before being elected mayor in 2011. She has also served as a director on the Strathcona Regional District and committees since 2011.

A Village of Tahsis press release says Mayor Schooner leaves a legacy of building enduring relationships with the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation, forest companies, the provincial government,other local governments and a myriad of stakeholders. She has promoted healthy respectful dialogue on forest practices, corporate responsibility, transportation,community planning and rural health care, amongst many other issues.

Along with Council, Mayor Schooner has been a persistent and vocal advocate for improving the Head Bay Road which serves Tahsis. Last week, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure issued a tender for improvements to the road which will occur this summer.

Deputy Mayor Randy Taylor will serve as acting mayor until the Oct. 20 general local government election.

Columbia Valley RCMP and search and rescue members from Columbia Valley, Golden, Cranbrook, Kimberley and Creston, and the Police Dog Service are currenlty searching for a missing Cranbrook woman in the Jumbo Pass area.